The year's most hotly anticipated clash at bantamweight turned out to be far less competitive than expected as the Philippine's Nonito Donaire blew out Fernando Montiel to capture the Mexican's WBC and WBO belts at Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas.

Montiel started off cautiously and that proved to be a mistake as Donaire hit the gas from the beginning and started landing big shots in the very first round.

It all started to fall apart for the champion in the second as Montiel was nailed to the floor by a perfect hook from Donaire. Montiel somehow managed to beat the count but the end was drawing near.

That came shortly after action resumed as Donaire wasted no time in battering Montiel to the canvas again, this time prompting referee Russell Mora to wave off the proceedings at 2:25 of the round.

Donaire, 26-1 (18), in just his second appearance at bantamweight, captures the WBC and WBO belts in emphatic fashion and is now stands atop the 118 pound division.

Montiel, 44-3-2 (34), loses for the first time in five years and this stands as his only stoppage defeat.

Chief support was provided by a rematch between welterweights Mike Jones, 24-0 (18), and Jesus Soto Karass, 24-6-3 (16), who fought a very close contest in November, won by Jones via majority decision.

This time Jones won a unanimous decision by mounting a more measured offense, winning the cards by margins of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 to retain the NABA, NABO and WBC Continental Americas titles.